Posts Tagged ‘Shinjuku’

Omoide Yokocho (or Memory Lane) is an old neighborhood of small yakitori joints that harkens back to days long past. It is located within the neon-lit skyscrapers of West Shinjuku. Adjacent to the Uniqlo store near the Lumine Department Store, Omoide Yokocho’s days are numbered as it is beyond its shelf-life. The area is ramshackle and its only of matter of time before it is torn down in the name of progress. The option is to rehabilitate the area however no one except for some of the tenants is in favor of this. Some of the Yakitori is quite good as the numbers of patrons indicate.

This area dates back to the US Occupation post World War II and has always been a favorite for good relatively well-priced food.

I’m heading back to Tokyo next week and I remembered the last time I was there. Around the end of October last year when the weather was as perfect as could be be. Bright sunshine drifting in from the west. Still a touch of summer with just enough autumn to be a little cool in the shadows. On the last trip, I had a meeting in the Shinjuku and afterwards, while waiting for a mate of mine, I snapped off a couple of hundred shots. This area is great for street photos as there is a lot of activity with a big dose of Japanese fashion. I’ve posted these photos before. This time in black and white.

The photos were taken with a Leica M8 and a Summicron 90mm f/2 lens. Practically every shot was taken while I was focussing like mad. They were all moving targets.

A number of my women friends are really into boots. However, those that live in Bangkok and Singapore very rarely wear boots mainly because the tropical climate is not conducive to comfort when wearing nearly knee high boots. It doesn’t stop them from buying boots and taking holidays where they can wear them. Friends in Hong Kong are a different matter as the winter weather encourages boot wear. But nothing like the boot fashion environment in Tokyo. In any given square kilometer in Shinjuku, Shibuyu and similar neighborhoods in Tokyo, the sheer variety is astounding.

I’ve posted boots several times in the past and sad to say I am reaching the end of my supply of boot photos from my trip to Tokyo at the end of October. And if you consider that most of the photos were taken in an hour’s time in Shinjuku, it gives you an idea of their popularity in Japan.

Japan is one of the most interesting places to visit and especially if you’re interested in photography. From cultural and historical sights like Buddhist and Shinto temples to an active fashion industry, there’s enough variety to keep any photographer happy. And Tokyo style is very dynamic, a little over the top and definitely interesting. The fashion shown in these photos are very typical for young woman. Layered with lots and accessories and definitely a fondness for boots, all styles. And in a two block radius, you can many different styles.

These photos were taken during my last trip to Tokyo in late October. In fact, I spent only an hour at this location near Shinjuku station and took upwards of 150 photos. Lots to see and shoot.

These woman stood out because of their use of color and accessories . It enhanced their appearance. One could say that they would never be lost in a crowd. And because the Japanese are attuned to detail in their fashion statement, take a look at their boots (and shoes).